Pre-College Program

Summer 2012 Pre-College Program

Congratulations, 2011 Pre-College Filmmakers!

The 2011 Pre-College film students’ directorial debut has received a great honor from the Nashville Film Festival.  “Adoraphobia” was selected from more than 2,800 short film entries and is one of seven chosen for screening in the Young Filmmakers Category during this year’s festival, April 19-26.  This is the second year in a row a Watkins Pre-College film has been accepted into the film festival.  The screening of “Adoraphobia” will be Saturday, April 21, at the Regal Green Hills Stadium 16 in Nashville at 10:00 am.  To purchase tickets or for further information on the Nashville Film Festival visit www.nashvillefilmfestival.org.   

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Dates: July 9-27, 2012  Times: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. 

Watkins College of Art, Design & Film presents a three week intensive summer program for highly-motivated high school students to experience the life and culture of art college. Broaden your artistic potential with a program that will challenge you to:

• Experience personal and artistic growth
• Learn new techniques and media
• Discover contemporary trends and potential career tracks
• Study with faculty who are practicing artists, designers and filmmakers
• Enhance your college portfolio
• Organize and display their work for a group exhibition in Watkins’ Brownlee O. Currey, Jr. Gallery at the end of the program (fine art concentration)
• Edit and screen their film in Watkins’ Theater at the end of the program, which will also be submitted to the Nashville Film Festival (film concentration)

CURRICULUM

Choose between two tracks of study, Film or Fine Arts. Within those tracks we offer five concentrations—Film Production, Film Editing, Drawing/Painting, Graphic Design, Interior Design, and Photography.

FILM TRACK

Film Production Concentration

This track introduces you to the medium of film. You will learn about techniques, protocol, film history, language and storytelling. Film professionals with real-world experience will share insights on artistic, technical and business aspects of making films. You will use digital video cameras, lighting and other professional production equipment and work with classmates to create a short-length film. You will gain a general understanding of filmmaking and get tips on how to apply to film school.

You will:

• Handle professional cameras and equipment
• Use script-writing software
• Cast live actors/actresses
• Produce a short film that will be submitted to the Nashville Film Festival

Film Editing Concentration

Explore the post-production stage of making a great film through an introduction to the editing process. Using Final Cut Pro, you will learn basic editing techniques such as color correction, audio mixing, and more.

You will:

• Use professional film editing software
• Compile a soundtrack
• Work with filters and effects

FINE ARTS TRACK

The Fine Arts Track will teach you to see the world as a visual artist as you participate in three core courses, a studio elective, field trips and a final exhibition.
You will:

• Study the principles and elements of art
• Prepare a first-rate portfolio
• Spend time in the studio or lab
• Exhibit your work
• Explore Nashville’s art scene
• Discover what it takes to be an artist or designer

Core Courses

Foundations (Meets 2 days/week)
This course will help you see the world as visual artists do by strengthening your ability to observe, conceptualize and analyze. Emphasis will be placed on the principles and elements of art, color theory and developing strong technical and critical thinking skills.

Portfolio Preparation (Meets 2 days/week)
Learn techniques and strategies for building a strong portfolio, giving you a definite advantage when applying for scholarships and admissions into art college. As a plus, professional admissions counselors will give critiques and guide you through the college application process.

Art History (Meets 1 day/week)
This course is an examination of the major forms of artistic expression. You will learn to evaluate, interpret and analyze works and develop a strong vocabulary to talk about art. Slides and group discussions will aid you in this learning process as you study historical and contemporary trends.

Concentrations

Choose one concentration to study from the following choices. (Meets 4 days/week)

Drawing/Painting
You will learn the core concepts of drawing and painting in this studio concentration as you experiment within these media and research master works of art. Critical analysis will be introduced while gaining a firm understanding of perspective, composition, line quality and painting/ drawing tools. In this class you will draw and paint from life and explore the human figure by working with a live model. You will develop at least one strong piece for your portfolio.

Graphic Design
Through a variety of exercises you will learn about typography, color, design principles, illustration and photography as they apply to visual communication. Students will participate in a group project to design a product logo, packaging and advertising campaign as they discover the creative process from concept to production.

Interior Design
Architects and interior designers will introduce you to the interior design profession by showing various applications of designing. You will create spaces that combine the aesthetics of art and design while being encouraged to develop imaginative, responsible solutions to problems created by the physical limitations of the built environment. Sustainability and green design will be emphasized.

Photography
Blending the technical and conceptual, this concentration will provide an introduction to photography, including a brief history of the medium. Camera controls, composition, color, light, storytelling and communication will be explored, allowing you to develop a creative vision and seeing it through to a final portfolio of work of 5 to10 archival prints. You will work digitally in Photoshop and learn about traditional photography by using pinhole cameras and working in the darkroom. A digital camera with manual controls, a USB cord and a portable hard drive are required for this class.

Field Trips/Outings (Meets 1 day/week)
Come into direct contact with the art community by touring Nashville’s art and design scene. We will visit artists and designers in their studios, museums, galleries and more.

Final Exhibition/Reception
A final exhibition and reception in Watkins’ gallery will conclude the program, giving you practical experience of showing your work.

Weekly Fine Arts Track Schedule:

PROGRAM DETAILS

DATES: July 9-27, 2012. The Pre-College Program meets Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am-4:00 pm for three consecutive weeks.

JOIN US: If you are a high school student who has completed your sophomore, junior or senior year and you are between the ages of 15-18.

SUPPLIES: Supplies are included, but bring your own sketchbook.

FACULTY: Our teaching staff includes local artists, educators, and college faculty.

HOUSING: Watkins does not offer an on-campus housing option at this time.

LUNCH & SNACKS: Lunch is provided; however, if you want snacks you may bring your own or purchase them at our vending machines.

GRADES/CREDIT: Grades will be determined by quizzes, projects, and writing assignments. Upon successful completion, 3 General Education credits will be awarded.

TUITION/FEES: $1500. Includes materials, lunches, T-shirt and transportation for special events.

SCHOLARSHIPS: A limited number of full and partial need-based scholarships are available for the Pre-College Program through a generous grant from The Memorial Foundation. The scholarship deadline is April 27, 2012. Applicants should submit a portfolio containing the following items:

1. Completed pre-college program application form.
2. Letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor.
3. $300 program deposit* (If awarded a full scholarship, the $300 deposit will be fully refunded).
   *If applying for the scholarship and cannot afford the $300 deposit, please contact the director of community education at 615.277.7455
4. Personal statement indicating his/her interest in attending the program and why a scholarship should be awarded, including financial need.
5. Evidence of financial need (tax forms or personal letters are acceptable).
6. One image of an original work of art.
7. Completed pre-college program scholarship application. Click HERE for the scholarship application.

REFUND POLICY:  Sorry, no refunds will be given after final payment deadline June 15th.

EARN A COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP WHILE YOU ARE HERE! If you successfully complete the Pre-College Program and decide to enroll at Watkins, you are eligible for a $4,000 tuition scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded over eight semesters, if you maintain a 3.0 GPA and enroll full-time.

APPLICATION

Click HERE to download the pre-college program application.

Click HERE to download the pre-college scholarship application.

CONTACT INFO:
Pre-College Program
Watkins College of Art, Design & Film
2298 Rosa L. Parks Blvd
Nashville, TN 37228
Phone: 615-383-4848
Toll Free: 866-887-6395
Fax: 615-383-4849
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.watkins.edu/precollege
Facebook: watkins community education